Plant-based food and beverage company Tindle Foods has announced it will divest its US operations amid a move to focus exclusively on private label products for the European market.

The move marks a significant shift in the company’s core business strategy, aiming to redirect its resources toward creating affordable and innovative unbranded products. This will enable the company to pour investment into product development and operational efficiency, Tindle said.

Headquartered in Singapore, Tindle’s main markets have been in the US and Europe, with offices in Chicago, London and Amsterdam. The company develops plant-based products, such as meat alternatives and beverages, using simple, non-GMO ingredients aligning with a clean label approach.

With private label products significantly contributing to increased plant-based category sales in Europe, Tindle noted that these products are moving away from being seen as just a budget option and have become a primary strategic focus for retailers and operators.

Under the new model, Tindle will sell its unbranded plant-based proteins to major food manufacturers, retailers and restaurant groups. This will give them the freedom and flexibility to brand, formulate and price ready-to-market products according to the needs in their local markets, without taking on the expense of their own R&D or production.

Speaking about the focus on Europe, Tindle’s CEO and founder, Timo Recker, commented: “We are seeing greater growth potential in Europe, where consumer demand for plant-based innovations continues to rise – particularly among the younger generations, who have already fully adopted plant-based foods as part of their everyday lives and routines”.

Before beginning Tindle Foods, Recker – who comes from a long-established family line of meat producers in Germany – founded LikeMeat, an alt-meat brand acquired by The LiveKindly Collective in 2020.

Tindle raised $100 million – the largest Series A funding round to date in the plant-based meat category – in 2022, positioning it for long-term growth despite the challenging market environment.

“This strategic pivot follows a clear logic,” Recker added. “The plant-based category has become increasingly price-driven, and we're seeing that private label products are capturing a growing share.”

Alongside Recker, chief technology officer John Seegers will continue to oversee the company’s R&D efforts. Seegers brings over 25 years of experience in plant-based protein development to the role.